Student target of anti-Semitic attacks by six Shaftesbury High School students

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This article was published 07/09/2017 (3179 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Six students at Shaftesbury High School targeted a fellow student this summer with anti-Semitic language and graphics on social media.

No one has been suspended, but the targeted student has agreed to meet one-on-one with each of the six students in mediation, with adults present, Pembina Trails School Division superintendent Ted Fransen said Thursday. The targeted student wasn’t aware of what happened until he learned of it from the division.

“We are absolutely talking disciplinary action,” but action which will help educate and heal, rather than suspensions, Fransen said.

The students used Instagram to attack their fellow student, said Fransen. He is not disclosing any details that might lead to anyone’s being identified.

Fransen would not speculate on why the students launched the anti-Semitic attack, or whether it had anything to do with anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi activities in the U.S. and elsewhere in recent weeks.

“In general terms, it was anti-Semitic language and graphics directed at a single student,” he said. “I learned of this on Friday, as did the school principal. The police were contacted by the principal. The families were contacted, both the target and the posters.

“The police were very quick to respond,” he said. “I reached out to B’nai Brith and asked if they would work with us.”

Shaftesbury will hold an assembly Tuesday with Cantor Moshe Kraus, a Holocaust survivor.

Fransen could not say when the online attacks occurred or how widely they were seen.

There are no criminal charges at this time, Winnipeg Police Service public affairs officer Const. Jay Murray said Thursday.

“On Sept. 1, at approximately 6:30 p.m., the Winnipeg Police Service attended to a residence in the South Tuxedo area to take a report after a parent was made aware of online content that was concerning to them,” Murray said.

“I’ve been advised that criminal charges are not being pursued at this time. All involved parties have advised they are happy with the action taken by police and the school.”

Fransen emphasized it was an isolated incident and does not reflect the caring and respectful environment within Shaftesbury and among Pembina Trails’ 14,000 students.

Shaftesbury principal Catherine Birch contacted parents by letter Thursday.

“We are connecting this morning, to let you know that we recently became aware of social media postings that were anti-Semitic in nature,” she wrote. “The postings were generated and circulated by a small group of Shaftesbury students. This happened over the summer holidays and the Winnipeg Police Service has investigated and intervened to stop the spread of these hurtful messages. Both Shaftesbury High School and Pembina Trails School Division are thankful for the officers’ quick action.

“As a school community, we are saddened by these events because when one of us is hurt, we are all hurt. This is indeed a natural reaction of a strong and cohesive community. The actions of these students do not represent who we are as a school community.

“Shaftesbury is committed to our values of diversity and inclusion. We are planning to hold a school assembly on the morning of Sept. 12, where Cantor Kraus, a Holocaust survivor, will be sharing his moving story with our entire student body. It is our deepest hope that this shared experience will help our students to heal, to learn and to grow towards harmony and respect for all,” Birch said.

Since parents received the letter, Fransen said, more than 30 families have contacted the school offering support for the school’s handling of the attacks.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca